Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Western European Security and Integration, Volume IV

81. Telegram From the United States Delegation at the NATO Heads of Government Meeting to the Department of State¹

Paris, December 19, 1957—p.m.

Polto 1819. Subject: Heads of Governments meeting, Wednesday, December 18, 6 p.m.²

Item I, Draft declaration:³ Chairman Spaak said object of meeting is to report to Heads of Governments on work done by Ministers in previous sessions. He first asked whether delegations wanted to issue a public declaration on NATO’s purposes and plans. US expressed view that it essential to issue such a declaration. This was supported by UK. Discussion then turned to paragraph by paragraph reading of RDC (57) 449, Annex A2.⁴ A number of suggestions for changes made, but general form and substance draft declaration remained intact.

Canada suggested addition of thought that Soviet satellites would not forever remain in bondage. This suggestion referred to drafting Committee of Four for specific language.

US noted that declaration lacked reference to increasing power of Soviet Union, and suggested that this thought be added.

Exchange developed between Greece and Turkey (both obviously thinking of Cyprus) regarding para 8, with Greeks seeking to incorporate language about “ideals and aims” of peoples, and Turks sharply disagreeing. This point finally resolved in language adopted in final communiqué⁵ Thursday morning.

Document approved in general and referred back to Committee of Four for changes and final reference to Heads of Governments.

Item II, defense sections of communiqué: Council discussed PC–6 paragraph by paragraph.⁶ No major debates developed, Council being in general agreement with language prepared by drafting Committee of Three (France, UK and US). Following morning’s discussion by Foreign and Defense Ministers,⁷ several minor suggestions adopted. Para 5 amended by US to include in first sentence “requirements established by that ‘alliance’”. On para 6, President Eisenhower suggested deletion “in these fields we have welcomed generous and far-reaching offers made by government of US”, saying that while US appreciates thought which is record, US did not want to be singled out from “corporate body” of which we are one member among equals.

This section of communiqué adopted in principle and referred to the communiqué Committee of Four for final polishing and final reference to Heads of Governments meeting Thursday morning.

Item III, communiqué section on scientific and technical cooperation, (PC–5):⁶ draft generally approved, with addition suggested by Canada in para 2 concerning importance of efforts of teachers and scientists. Draft referred to communiqué Committee of Four for further polishing.

Item IV, draft communiqué section on economic policy, (PC–8)⁶ reported separately.⁸

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–PA/12–1957. Confidential. Drafted by Nolting and authorized by Reinhardt. Repeated to the other NATO capitals and Moscow.
2. The summary, C–R(57)86, and verbatim, C–VR(57)86, records of this session, both dated December 18, are ibid., Conference Files: Lot 63 D 123, CF 952.
3. See footnote 4, supra.
4. A copy of the revised English text of the draft declaration is in Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 63 D 123, CF 937.
5. For text of the final declaration and communiqué dated December 19, see Department of State Bulletin, January 6, 1958, pp. 12–15.
6. Not found in Department of State files.
7. Document 79.
6. Not found in Department of State files.
6. Not found in Department of State files.
8. Topol 1798 to Paris, December 2, not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 840.00/12–257)